Laid Off During COVID?

“The first year of Covid hit hard: people lost jobs, families struggled with dwindling income. Though I wasn’t married yet, I still had elderly parents in the countryside to support—I couldn’t afford to suddenly be unemployed.

No matter how strong I thought I was, it took me nearly three days to reflect on my five-year career journey and plan for the months ahead. I needed money, so I chose to work as a shipper. During the pandemic, everyone was ordering food and shopping online.

In the beginning, when I went to pick up deliveries, my coworkers stared at me, asking all sorts of questions, worried whether a woman could handle the sun and rain of the job. Honestly, deciding to get on the motorbike and start this new career wasn’t easy—I worried about the sun, the wind, and even the judgment of friends. But I realized I had to live for myself and my family. Whatever challenges I faced, I could overcome them. If my friends judged me for switching from an office job to being a shipper, so be it—I can’t control what others think.

I worked as a shipper, starting my first deliveries at 6 a.m., but I always made sure to be home by 6 p.m., even if I could have taken more orders. I needed that time to practice yoga and meditation to maintain my health. By 8 p.m., I’d sit at my desk to study design through online courses. I wanted to acquire a new skill by the time the pandemic and lockdowns were over.

There were nights when I turned on my laptop and felt like collapsing from exhaustion. On those nights, I allowed myself to nap for an hour or two before resuming my studies, catching up with recorded videos to complete my lessons. Sometimes, I wanted to cry in front of the mirror, seeing my untouched makeup and pretty clothes gathering dust in the corner. But I knew if I spent these days idling, I’d fall behind and struggle even more to reintegrate into work after the pandemic. So, I kept myself motivated, balancing work and learning.

During those “unemployed but busy” days, I made a point of caring for myself. I worked hard but didn’t push beyond my limits. In addition to yoga and meditation, I treated myself to tea parties on weekends, relaxing while reading the news or writing to ease my worries. I also upgraded my loungewear to suit the nature of online classes where I often had to turn on my camera to answer questions.

I chose outfits from ONTR because their clothes are made from 100% natural fibers that feel amazing on the skin. The special inner lining allowed me to go braless while staying confident during online sessions.

By the second year of Covid, I had found a new job while also taking on online design projects. The demands of my new work didn’t overwhelm me because I had used my unemployment period to prepare myself—building physical endurance and mental resilience for this exciting comeback!”**

(ONTR & Friends – Late Night Conversations)

ONTR: Celebrating Natural Beauty and Self-Love

ONTR is a brand that honors natural beauty and respects every woman’s right to go braless and embrace her body. No matter where you are or what your circumstances may be, love yourself and find the outfit that fits you best!

Below are links to collections made from natural fibers, designed to provide comfort and promote health for our users: